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benefits of RSCDS
elissa h
Aug. 3, 2008, 10:02 p.m. (Message 53307)
Hi, I am working on a small display to use at SCD events to promote the RSCDS and the local Branch in which I belong. This is part of an outreach project to build membership and inform dancers of the benefits of supporting the RSCDS. I know why I became a member, but I am interested in why people all over the world are members and what they believe the benefits of membership are. In these days of rising costs, I believe that it is important to be able to clearly state the benefits for all. Thank you for assisting me in this project. Elissa Hock Akron, Ohio
Elissa Hock wrote: > I am interested in why people all over the world are members and what > they believe the benefits of membership are. The immediate benefits are that you get a glossy magazine twice a year (with an insert containing a few new -- or newly refurbished -- dances in one of those) and a discount in the RSCDS shop, which carries all sorts of dance books, CDs, and other paraphernalia. You get to attend RSCDS summer school in St Andrews (but you can also come as a non-member, at a price whose difference to the members' rate just happens to be the equivalent of a 1-year HQ membership) as well as other events that the Society puts on. Most RSCDS members are not directly affiliated with the Society (although that is quite possible) but join the Society by way of a »local association«, affectionately (if legally incorrectly) called a »branch«. This brings together Society members in a certain area and may confer additional benefits, the details of which depend on the branch. There may be a newsletter or a discount for classes and/or events that the branch puts on. In theory, the decision to join the Society should not be driven by asking »what value do I get for my money« -- because, to be fair, to a dancer who does not want to build up and maintain a large personal collection of books and media (at which point the members' discount might come in useful), a two-issue-per-year magazine subscription at the price of RSCDS membership, might seem a tad expensive. Although it is a fairly nice magazine, to be sure! The correct question to ask oneself is »do I identify with the aims of the Society to a degree that I want to share some of my own personal hard-earned cash to help the Society further these aims«. Or, to misappropriate a famous quotation, »Ask not what the Society can do for you, ask what you can do for the Society«. Having said that, I'll be the first to admit that I first became an RSCDS member, after having been dancing for not quite two years, not through such lofty thoughts, but to qualify for a 10% rebate that my kiltmaker was prepared to extend to RSCDS members. To a student, knocking 10% off a £600 bill for £7 -- those were the days ... -- looked like a reasonable proposition. (You do the math.) However, as I found out more about SCD in general, the Society, and such matters, and gravitated towards teaching and playing SCD music (not to mention getting in touch, via Strathspey, with lots of interesting people filling important rôles in the Society and also getting to know a few of them in person), I'm pleased to be able to say that my outlook changed from the merely materialistic to the basically benevolent, and now I keep paying my yearly dues not because of the measly magazine copies but because I think SCD, through the good offices of the Society, is something worth supporting. You bet that it takes up a major part of *my* life these days, and I don't want all this involvement to be in vain! Also (if you've been following the list during the last few days) do we -- the Society -- ever need that money badly! To sum up: There are some material benefits to Society membership but I think its main point is to show one's support for the people whose work holds the whole thing together. Which isn't quite right, really: Actually, you can *be* one of these people -- you don't have to get to sit around the conference table in Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, to make a difference for the Society. Elissa here does through her little project -- and we all should follow her example! Anselm -- Anselm Lingnau, Friedberg, Germany ..................... xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx Their tanks will rust. Our songs will last. -- Mikis Theodorakis
Why am I an RSCDS member, and what are the benefits of membership?
As a fairly new RSCDS member (via London 'branch', <6 months), I thought I'd
chime in as to why I joined.
I won't repeat Anselm's list of benefits, I'll just say that's he's put I
well and eloquently, so Anselm's post
+1.
So, in addition, and in no particular order:
Firstly, the RSCDS nationally is the standards body, I generally feel that
standards bodies are worth supporting, almost by reflex action. (When I
started sailing, I joined the Royal Yachting Association, who validate and
certify the training providers and the courses almost as an 'automatic'
thing to do as part of getting involved in the sailing scene). There's all
the published books, courses, certified teachers, etc., and that
infrastructure is worth supporting, and it's not that expensive. RSCDS
branch and national membership in London cost less than 20 GBP when I joined
earlier this year. Less expensive than one night's ticket at the Ceilidh
Club and a round of drinks.
Secondly, even in a large branch like London, it gets you noticed. People
have picked up my name. I've spoken to the membership secretary and various
other committee members. Joining marks you out as 'serious' about SCD - a
bit like the first time you turn up to a beginners class with dance ghillies
instead of trainers...
Thirdly, it gets you into the local network of what's going on. There's a
lot of SCD activity in London, not all of it run by the branch by any means,
and it's not always obvious what's going on where and who runs it. London
branch produces a quarterly news sheet ('The Reel') which has lots of
adverts for events which helps find out (and get involved with) what's going
on. A fringe benefit of this is getting people's names and roles sorted out
from the photos in The Reel. Last week I danced with lady at a dance who I
was convinced I'd seen before - in fact I recognised her from a picture in
The Reel.
Fourthly, there are some local discounts on classes, branch dances and
books/literature which are a help, even if they don't necessarily make
compelling financial case. I can sight-read tunes well enough that the
dance books with music in them are a great aid in teaching myself a new
dance, so being able to hum/whistle the lead tune while you're working out
the moves and phrasing for a new dance is a sufficient draw that I'll
probably acquire a full set of music books over time.
Fifthly, there's a little part of me that feels slightly virtuous for
joining. As our immediately past chairman put it: "..those who [were
members and] paid their subscriptions in the past mean that we have dancing
today." It's nice to be part of keeping a set of traditions alive (even if
they are traditions that only date back to the 1920's).
Best regards
--
Steve
xx@xxxxx.xxxxx.xx.xx
Steve Johnson wrote: > Why am I an RSCDS member, and what are the benefits of membership? > I won't repeat Anselm's list of benefits, I'll just say that's he's put it well and eloquently, so Anselm's post +1. ******* Anselm's post +2 :) In southwest Idaho our club is over 400 miles from the nearest Branch class (Reno, NV, 402 mi. or Portland, OR, 417 mi.). We don't have enough members or finances to run more than one class per week and one large event per year. To take advantage of any RSCDS member discount at Branch classes or events, our members have to drive or fly a looong ways :). If we affiliated with the RSCDS it would probably increase our membership dues beyond the means of many of our current members. So those benefits don't really convince our dancers to join. However, being so isolated has made me appreciate the benefits of organizations like TAC and the Society much more than I did when I belonged to the San Gabriel, CA, Branch. I'm a member of the RSCDS through the San Francisco Branch, as well as a member of TAC. Belonging to these groups gives me support and help with teaching in an isolated area. I did my SCD Prelim teacher training at St. Andrews. I can easily order dance books and music online thru TAC. I can ask SF Branch and Portland teachers for advice and support (thanks guys). And I can also ask for help from various friends I've made through this list and TAC, most of them trained by the Society, just as I was. These benefits don't help only me. Through me (and through our other two teachers) they give our dancers better teaching (I hope :). Then when they DO travel, they can comfortably enjoy dancing with nearly any SCD group out there. Monica Nampa, ID "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." Catherine Aird
Monica Pollard wrote: > If we affiliated with the RSCDS it would probably increase > our membership dues beyond the means of many of our current members. That would be the case if you were to become a bra^H^H^Hlocal association, since then the members would have to pay for RSCDS membership on top of what you would charge. Becoming an »affiliated group« isn't really as expensive as all that (on the order of £25 per year -- the RSCDS web site doesn't obviously say, and Eva handles our group's accounts but she is in bed already), and it would at least put you on the official map and get you one copy of the magazine to pass round :^) I don't know how many members you have but if you split this up it will probably cost everybody less than a visit to Starbucks every year. Anselm -- Anselm Lingnau, Friedberg, Germany ..................... xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx Watching non-programmers trying to run software companies is like watching someone who doesn't know how to surf trying to surf. -- Joel Spolsky
I have in front of me the latest leaflet regarding Application for Affiliation and as of the 1st July 2008 the fee is £35 per annum. It is certainly one option open to smaller groups who are not in the position of becoming a "Branch" of thhe RSCDS. It does suggest that a number of the group's existing membership should be individual members of the Society. I would suggest your secretary contacts the RSCDS in Edinburgh for details and the application form. Regards Bob > From: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx> To: xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx> Subject: Re: benefits of RSCDS> Date: Mon, 4 Aug 2008 01:14:48 +0200> > Monica Pollard wrote:> > > If we affiliated with the RSCDS it would probably increase> > our membership dues beyond the means of many of our current members.> > That would be the case if you were to become a bra^H^H^Hlocal association, > since then the members would have to pay for RSCDS membership on top of what > you would charge.> > Becoming an »affiliated group« isn't really as expensive as all that (on the > order of £25 per year -- the RSCDS web site doesn't obviously say, and Eva > handles our group's accounts but she is in bed already), and it would at > least put you on the official map and get you one copy of the magazine to > pass round :^) I don't know how many members you have but if you split this > up it will probably cost everybody less than a visit to Starbucks every year.> > Anselm> -- > Anselm Lingnau, Friedberg, Germany ..................... xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx> Watching non-programmers trying to run software companies is like watching> someone who doesn't know how to surf trying to surf. -- Joel Spolsky
I am just catching up, and there are some views which have been expressed under this topic that are not IMHO entirely correct and I am surprised that they have not been spotted. In his two contributions Anselm sums up the view of many and presents the case for membership in his usual cogent way, and that is most helpful. However, I feel that his comment "Most RSCDS members are not directly affiliated with the Society although that is quite possible) but join the Society by way of a »local association«, affectionately (if legally incorrectly) called a »branch«." is not strictly correct. A member of the RSCDS is by definition a member of the RSCDS, not an affiliate. Their subscription may be paid direct to the Society if they choose to be HQ members or it may be collected by a Local Association for onward transmission to the Society, but however they pay that subscription then they are members of the Society, first and foremost. The "Branch" is defined as a Local Association of Members of the RSCDS. In turn it may have its own subscription to help towards its own administrative costs, but while the two subscriptions may be paid over to the Branch treasurer in one lump it is still in effect two separate subscriptions. By definition, one cannot be a member of a Branch unless one is a member of the RSCDS. I think that I am correct when I say that a Local Association/Branch does not pay any fee to the Society for being a Branch, although it seems to be a misunderstanding among some members in that what they perceive as a capitation charge by the Society is in fact the membership subscriptions being remitted to the Society. Monica wrote: "If we affiliated with the RSCDS it would probably increase our membership dues beyond the means of many of our current members. So those benefits don't really convince our dancers to join." I suspect that she is using "affiliated" in the same sense as Anselm. However, your club can become an Affiliated Group for a lump sum payment by the group of I believe £35. Unlike a Local Association/Branch your members do not have to become members of the RSCDS. As an Affiliated Group you would receive a copy of each edition of the magazine, and your contact details will appear on the RSCDS website, which may aid recruitment. I very much hope that the Society can think of further benefits from Group Affiliation. Another benefit to all dancers, members and non-members alike, not mentioned I think, is the fact that the Society maintains links across and around the world, and provides teacher training and examinations that establish a common standard, so that almost wherever you go (and the world is already much "smaller" and more of us are travelling) you will find the same terminology and a like-minded group of enthusiasts with whom you can immediately feel at home. Happy dancing, because that is what it is all about. Andrew Smith, Bristol, UK.
One thing could alleviate this is to assess each member a small fee at each SCD class, for example, our dance class in New Orleans charges $2 per person for each class and some of this money goes to each person's RSCDS membership. This gradual assessment of dues makes it less onerous than if it were assessed all at once. Personally I really enjoy reading the magazine and trying the new dances that are published. I also get a certain personal satisfaction of having that RSCDS Membership Card in my wallet. I'd like to think that The Society is diligently continuing it's search for and preservation of old Scottish dances while encouraging the writing and performance of new dances. I'd also like believe that The Society was exploring alternate styles, steps, and forms of Scottish country dancing. Tom Mungall Baton Rouge, La, USA
Hi Elissa, I will not go into what works or does not work in convincing people to belong to a particular society or group except that it is imperative that the society does everything it can to assist in it's own promotion. Recently at Festival Dybuk part of my agreement with the organisers was that they would provide space for Scottish and SCD promotional material and Pia Walker brought RDCDS leaflets with her. I noted that the 'browsers' were readily attracted to these leaflets placed on the table which served as the festival on-site office. I had also arranged for a tv and dvd player to be placed on the table and Malcolm Brown's dvd of Newcastle Festival 2008 was playing for the festival visitors and that attracted a lot of interest as well. I was also provided with some brochures and catalogues from SCD related suppliers and there was considerable interest in all the items available on the stand. As I was operating in an area where any information is quickly snapped up especially anything relating to contact information was highly desirable to the visiting dancers but then we were there in answer to their request for help so you could say we had a captive audience. As for the new dance groups in Poland becoming RSCDS members I can only hope that through the RSCDS demonstrating that the society will be there for them in their development phase then they will want to perhaps affiliate in the first instance and as they understand what the society and the extended dance community is about then they may wish to become members individually. Good luck with your project and I'm sure that the outcome of your initiative will be of interest to the Society's Membership Services Committee. We are off to Poland again on 28th August for our next festival and it will be interesting to see the reaction after our first workshops of two weeks ago, hopefully the word will have spread and even more small groups will come to this festival. Regards Bob McArthur Scosha Group Bournemouth, UK
"I am interested in why people all over the world are members..." Hello Elissa. Here's my take. The RSCDS has produced dance books, records, tapes, CDs, trained dancers and teachers, organised examinations for teachers, produced the manual (formerly Won't You Join the Dance), etc. Along with various other initiatives, such as the efforts of many Caledonian Societies, this has resulted in a worldwide SCD community in which we all dance more or less the same steps, use the same hand holds, have standardised formations, follow the same etiquette, etc., etc., so that one can dance the same or similar dances in thousands of different places. And there's still a core repertoire that doesn't vary so much from town to town, or country to country, as to make it too difficult for an out-of-towner to join in. My work has taken me to various parts of the world, and it's amazing in how many places one can find a dance group. Not only that, but the local dancers are always friendly and welcoming. Like the ones I've met in Ohio! I appreciate the role the RSCDS has played and continues to play to make all this possible. Chris, New York. **************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2008/expert-review?ncid=aolaut00050000000017 )
Dear Elissa et al,
I agree with much of what has been said already, and particularly for
the past 10 years with Monica's point about isolation - there are no
Branches (sorry - Local Associations) in the Republic of Ireland, so I
am a member of the International Branch, which produces great email
updates and newsletters, and I'm lucky enough to work in a Copyright
Library, so I see the Reel (London Branch quarterly magazine) about a
month after it comes out.
For the last couple of years I have bought my Dad membership of London
Branch for part of his Christmas present as he has taken over the
running of a group in that area. He considers the Reel to be the main
benefit of membership.
Dublin SCD Club is an affiliated group and at the last 2 AGMs we have
had questions as to what do we get for our money. John (Edinburgh
Branch) and I are the only 2 RSCDS members and have been hard pushed
to convince some of the club members that it is worth paying. One of
our musicians is the Club Chairman, so he used to benefit from the
dance books when the music was published in them. Anyway, we have
convinced them that £35 a year is hardly going to break the bank.
Having been an RSCDS member for 16 years, I can't remember exactly
what persuaded me to join in the first place, although I know I joined
_when_ I did because long-term membership was about to be phased out
(how did you know I'm an Aberdonian?!). However, I'm sure I have
benefitted in many ways over that time and I have decided (been
persuaded) to stand for Membership Services this year to try to give
something back.
Happy dancing to those of you lucky enough to be able to over the summer.
Helen
RSCDS International Branch and Dublin SCD Club
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The real value of the RSCDS for me is the standardization of dances and
the linkage of dancers all over the world, and the training of teachers.
I really appreciate that when work sent me to other cities, I could dance
there confident that I could fit in.
As a dancer of limited means I hate to see Elissa Hock's top listings:
the magazine, and the school at St. Andrews. The ability to attend St.
Andrews is fine - if you can afford the school and the fare, a particular
challenge for Americans at the current exchange rate. Unfortunately, when
the magazine arrives what I think of first is that the Society dues
increase equals the price of one of our monthly dances for me - and I
would rather dance than look at shiny pages.
I was taught never to criticize without being prepared to offer
solutions. Some ideas
Make the magazine a separate subscription - it would also make it
possible for Associated group members to get their own if they wish
Offer the magazine on line at a reduced rate, for members to print out or
read on line, as they wish (our branch newsletter is distributed this
way)..
Make sure that every branch, wherever it is, gets all the votes its
members have paid to have at the AGM (the Society seems to be moving
towards reminding Branches that they can request representatives for the
AGM).
Miriam Mueller San Francisco.
At 01:13 PM 8/12/2008, you wrote: >The real value of the RSCDS for me is the standardization of dances and >the linkage of dancers all over the world, and the training of teachers. >I really appreciate that when work sent me to other cities, I could dance >there confident that I could fit in. > > > Miriam Mueller San Francisco. >____________________________________________________________ This too, is the value to me. It shows my support of dance and helps to provide a linkage around the world. The glossy magazine is quickly perused and recycled...The dances are read and filed away. I learn my dances from instructors when I attend. I have not danced much around the world, but when I have danced outside of my particularly small area, I can step into a set and feel comfortable. Both the strength and weakness of RSCDS is the rigidity. It is lockstep, but that lockstep works well to help all of use dance together around the world. Mike M
As an update to Monica's posts, the Boise group has now decided to become affiliated as of last night. As she expressed to us so well in the board meeting, we get lots of great things from the RSCDS (the greatest of which is Monica's valuable training), even if we are geographically isolated. Diane Donald Boise, Idaho USA
Miriam Mueller wrote - <The ability to attend St. Andrews is fine - if you can afford the school and the fare, a <particular challenge for Americans at the current exchange rate. I can appreciate how Miriam feels. However, despite the current exchange rate (presumably against the pound and the euro) her country's currency is in a better state than some others. The New Zealand dollar has slipped in the last two weeks from 70 US cents to under 60 US cents and the South African rand is probably in a worse state. It is all a matter of priorities. If one wants to attend the Saint Andrews summer school a way will be found. Again, if one wants to belong to a society such as ours a way will be found. Miriam also suggested - <Make the magazine a separate subscription - it would also make it possible for <Associated group members to get their own if they wish. Offer the magazine on line at a <reduced rate, for members to print out or read on line, as they wish. Another society I belong to has done this. The numbers subscribing to the separate magazine has dropped considerably and the cost has increased considerably. Personally, I prefer a glossy magazine in the post. Depending on one's internet link and personal printer the resulting product would probably be much worse than a mass printed issue and could take forever to download. A printed magazine is available 'almost' forever for reference whereas an online magazine may not be available when wanted because the host is down or the society has removed it - probably for cost reasons. (This is one of the reasons I do not like dances being published on the internet.) Also, a mass printed magazine can be taken to bed and read in comfort - which an online version can not be, unless printed out. Again, I would much prefer a mass printed version than have to squint at an online version and wait for the next page to load. Regards, Iain Boyd Postal Address - P O Box 11-404 Wellington New Zealand Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com